Means to indicate temperature and electric failure



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INVENTORS' j c' aknjwlfaafizizes Pa uZ [ifle ran? ATTORNEY Dec. 22, 1953 J- N. M lNNES ET AL MEANS TO INDICATE TEMPERATURE AND ELECTRIC FAILURE Filed Feb. 21 1950 i L J Patented Dec. 22, 1953 M ANS 'ro INDICATE TEMPERATURE AND,

.EpEc'rRIc FAILURE John N. Maclnnes, N ewfields, and Paul H. Gerard, p I Newmarket, N. H.

Application February 21, 1950, Serial No. 145,324

2 Claims.

This invention relates to a means to indicate temperature and electric failure and it is primarily an object of the invention to provide a means of this kind for use with an oil burner to give notice of failure of the electric current for the burner or of a dangerous drop in the interior temperature of a building.

It is also an object of the invention to provide a means of this kind embodying two signals, one being efi'ective under normal conditions and the other under an abnormal condition.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a diagrammatic view illustrating an indicating means constructed in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

Figure 2 is a diagrammatic view illustrating a second embodiment of the invention; and

Figure 3 is a diagrammatic view illustrating a still further embodiment of the invention.

In the embodiment of the invention as illustrated in Figure 1 of the drawings, two signals X and Y are suitably mounted exteriorly of a building B generally indicated by broken lines. The signals X and Y as here embodied are visual comprising electric bulb lights, the light X being preferably green and the other preferably red. These lights X and Y are also preferably housed Within a suitable receptacle A as generally indicated by broken lines The operating controls as herein embodied are housed within a suitable receptacle C mounted as desired with the building B and as generally indicated by broken lines.

Within the receptacle C is a thermostatically operated switch I interposed in a conductor or leg 2 comprised in a circuit leading from a suitable source of energy to a light bulb X. The other leg or conductor 3 of said circuit leads to and is in electrical connection with the bulb light X. The conductor 2 has interposed therein the resistance element 4. The leg or conductor 2 is preferably in connection with the usual twentyfour volt side of an oil burner control.

The bulb light Y has in proper electrical connection therewith, the leg or conductor 5 which is also electrically connected with a battery 6 or other independent source of electrical energy. The second conductor or leg I for the bulb light Y has interposed therein an open switch including the bi-metal controlled contacts 8. When the circuit for the bulb light X is closed, the heat from the resistance element 4 will cause the contacts 8 to open and thus break the circuit for the bulb light Y. Thus under normal working conditions the bulb light X remains lighted showing a 2 green light to indicate safety and the bulb'Y is dark.

In the event of electrical or oil burner failure, there will no longer be a supply of current on the conductors or legs 2 and 3. This will cause the signal X to stop glowing, allowing the resistance element 4 to cool whereby contacts 8 will close to light signal Y and thus give a danger signal. In the event of a room temperature drop, thermostatic switch I will open and thus break the circuit for the signal X allowing the resistance element 4 to cool whereby the contacts 8 will close and the danger signal Y becomes effective.

As the signal X is exteriorly of the house, the same can be readily observed by the operators of the servicing company making their regular rounds, police, other by passers, or neighbors. The receptacle A will have thereon the telephone number of the company which normally services the oil burner, so that if the occupant or agent of the premises should not be available by a passerby the servicing company may be reached.

The embodiment of the invention as illustrated in Figure 2 in the main is similar to the first em- I bodiment of the invention except that the resistance element and associated bi-metallic contacts are omitted. In lieu thereof, the leg or conductor 9 leading from the twenty four volt side of the burner controls to a safety bulb light M is electrically connected to a relay R. the circuit for which being closed through the leg or conductor In leading to the second main leg or conductor I I for the signal M.

Interposed in the leg or conductor 9 in advance of the relay R, is a thermostatic switch H! which is closed under normal working conditions. Leading from the conductor 9 at a point in advance of the switch I2 is a leg or conductor M which leads to one of two contact members IS. The second contact I5 is in desired electric connection with the signal M through the leg or conductor H5.

The contacts l5 are so positioned with respect to the relay R, that under normal operation the relay is energized with resultant closing of the contacts l5. However, in the event of current failure, burner failure or temperature drop, the relay R will be deenergized, allowing the movable contact [5 to open and thereby extinguish the signal X and effect a closing of the normally open switch ll interposed in the conductor or leg 18 comprised in the circuit for the danger or warning signal Y.

In. the embodiment of the invention as comprised in Figure 3, under normal operation, current is supplied to the resistance element l9 ure, the resistance element I9 will receive no cur rent resultant of the opening of the contacts 22 and 23 and thus breaking the operatingcircuit for the signal C. After a momentary delay, the

contacts 22 and 25 will close, comnletinsltheci a cuit for the danger signal D. The 6011138617522},

23 and 25 are bi-metal and when theroom temperature drops below a predetermined degree, the heat from the resistance element itswiil be inadequate to prevent the cooling of the contacts ,suificient to allow the contacts 22 and-'23 to open and then to allow the contacts 22 and. fi toclose.

, We. claim: i

" LlMeansior indicating electric failure, com- 1prising. two difierent signals, a separateoperating circuit for each signal, a switch interposed inthe. circuit for one of the signals and closed during the flow of current through, the circuit, 1 saidswitch opening upon interruption of the current flow, a switch in the circuit for the second signal maintained open during the current flow through the circuit of the first signal, said second switch closing upon opening of the first switch, said second switch including a pair of contacts, a bi-metallic element carrying one of said contacts, and a resistance heater element interposed in the circuit forzthegfirsttnamed signal and positioned adjacent, to, said Iii-metallic element, said bi-metallic element functioning upon a predetermined heating thereof by the resistance heater to maintain said contacts electricaily separated,

2; The invention according to claim 1, with a thermal control, connected with the first switch and adapted to open the latter upon a predetermined drop in the temperature of the surrounding atmosphere.

- JOHN N. MACINNES.

PAUL H. GERARD.

References Cited in the ll lei of this pa e UNITED sm'rns PATENTS Nowell V Jan. 15, 1952 

